Dave Ramsey would be proud

Tonight. Marks the night. That Colin and I. Paid off our last student loan!  May 2009 undergrad grads are student loan debt free in August 2013!  WOOT WOOT!

Honestly, I know that when I added up my student loan debt after graduation, it totaled around $30,000, and I had no idea how I would ever pay it off.  However, we did it with ups and downs of job situations, Col going to grad school (debt free), saving for and buying a house, a 3-year capital campaign for church, and more recently paying and saving for our adoption.  Seriously, we couldn't have done it without this --> We <3 Financial Peace!

One last loan left to finish and that's for my car.  Then we can declare ourselves d.e.b.t. f.r.e.e. :)

beyond frugal

Who else but my hubby can score a universal remote (batteries included - right before we were about to go buy one), two Adirondack chairs, an outdoor end table, and seven plastic outdoor chairs from the side of the road for free on our own street?

Growing up in the country, I remember when I first encountered the concept of, "Just put it out on the curb and someone will take it."  I thought it was so strange, but it's legit.  Even though we've only left one thing out before, we've been lucky at our new house to find needed items, which is super helpful being new home owners.  I'll admit, it was hilarious watching Col one night take a few trips back and forth trucking the chairs and table over from across the street, and another time after walking by the remote three times on a walk with Mendon, he ran over once more to grab it (and leave the TV behind), but I'm not complaining.  Thanks new neighbors!

happy, warm, good happenings

Phew!  We've been "bu-sy, bu-sy, bu-sy" (name that movie!!) with house stuff.  Update on that to come very soon :)

In the meantime, how awesome was today?

• 70 degree temps.  Yes, on November 11th!
• volunteering in the bookstore at church
• watching my niece hold the church doors open for everyone who went through
• shopping with my mother- and sister-in-laws and treating myself to my first pair of leggings
• walk to a neighbor's moving sale: we scored a Land's End jacket and brand new deck of Phase 10 for $1.25
• sitting on our porch drinking smoothies
• Yolickity's ice cream
• the Amazing Race

Other good things sprinkled in over the last two weeks:

• dinner and Gilmores with roomie
• movies 10 and lunch with friends
• watching Col play volleyball again at a friend's birthday party
• worship and celebrating with friends becoming members at church
• late night McFlurry's with friends
• lunch at Red Robin (yum!) with Esh's
• work girls' night

So who else is hoping for a winter full of 60-70 degree days?! :)